Decline in NRF2-regulated antioxidants in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lungs due to loss of its positive regulator, DJ-1.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Oxidative stress is a key contributor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis caused by cigarette smoking. NRF2, a redox-sensitive transcription factor, dissociates from its inhibitor, KEAP1, to induce antioxidant expression that inhibits oxidative stress.

Objectives

To determine the link between severity of COPD, oxidative stress, and NRF2-dependent antioxidant levels in the peripheral lung tissue of patients with COPD.

Methods

We assessed the expression of NRF2, NRF2-dependent antioxidants, regulators of NRF2 activity, and oxidative damage in non-COPD (smokers and former smokers) and smoker COPD lungs (mild and advanced). Cigarette smoke-exposed human lung epithelial cells (Beas2B) and mice were used to understand the mechanisms.

Me

SUBMITTER: Malhotra D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2542433 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature